The Concord and Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branches present Shannon Smith-Crowley, attorney, legislative advocate and AAUW lobbyist on January 27th, 2018.This informative and timely presentation, so closely tied to our AAUW mission, will focus on a recap of the 2017 legislative year, a preview of the 2018 year, and how to become involved whether one has two minutes or two days.

Ms. Crowley-Smith has been an attorney for 30 years and a registered lobbyist in California for 20 years. Shannon received her Juris Doctor in 1985 and a Master’s in Health Administration in 1992. Her insights are informed by her previous practical experience in managed health care.

Shannon founded Partners in Advocacy to specialize in medical and reproductive health advocacy and has attained a series of legislative successes. She also helped to develop California law requiring maternity coverage in all health insurance policies and the creation of California’s public umbilical cord blood banking program for stem cell transplants and biomedical research.

A member of the Healdsburg AAUW branch heard this speaker and had this to say: “Last March, I left the Healdsburg AAUW meeting at which Shannon Smith-Crowley was our speaker, wishing the meeting had been much longer. Shannon has a wealth of interesting information to share about her lobbying activities on behalf of AAUW.”

A $5 donation per attendee at the door will be appreciated to help cover costs of the program and speaker. You must register to attend by emailing aauwlizwilliams@gmail.com and specify the number of attendees. Light refreshments will be served.

Ever considered getting involved in your local community as an appointee to a board or commission? Want to know more about how the process works? How do you access the application? Where to find vacancies? How do you navigate the process? Who can help?

Please join California Women Lead and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker for an appointments training to learn the process that one should take to be appointed to a board/commission/committee at the local and state level. With the number of women in government decreasing, we want to empower women to apply for appointments to reach gender equality on boards and commissions. Join us and be part of the movement.

Concord Members: Save the date! We will be coming together on December 9 to celebrate the holidays and each other. Details coming soon. . . .

Thank you to everyone who came to our event in 2017–We sold out!!!! Thanks to you we raised over $9,000 for scholarships for women & girls.

Participants will stroll around Todos Santos Plaza, Salvio Pacheco Square, and visit Downtown Concord businesses, while enjoying fine wines, craft beers, and appetizers, viewing beautiful art for sale, and meeting local artists. The Mt. Diablo Music Education Foundation All Area Music Festival will be happening at the same time in Todos Santos Plaza.

Walk starting location is at the corner of Salvio Street and Grant Street, outside of E.J. Phair Brewing Company – Concord Alehouse. At registration, you will receive a tasting glass, a hand stamp, and a map of participating locations and businesses. All locations are marked with balloons.

That was what AAUW Funds recipient, Absiola Kusimo, had to say to all who attended the Funds Luncheon on February 25, 2017.

Absiola, who is working on her master’s degree in design methodologies and manufacturing in the developing world at Stanford University, shared with those who attended about her studies and her ultimate goal of creating sustainable water and sanitation models for developing countries. This summer she is excited to be going to Nigeria to gain some onsite experience. As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, she hopes to improve design practices for people interested in international sustainable development. She loves empowering women through spoken word poetry.

Concord Branch supports both AAUW Educational Fellowships (EF) and CEF, our local scholarship program for women from DVC and LMC who are transferring to four-year universities/colleges. These programs are funded through your generous donations each year.

Please note that our next meeting will NOT be at Cambiati on Oak Road.Instead we will visitAloha Mind Mathin downtown Walnut Creek and learn about this phenomenal program that makes math FUN and engages kids in all learning. Hali Hausman is our guest speaker. Hali plans to give us each an abacus to use to actually experience how the children learn. It promises to be a lot of “fun”!

Join us for our Fellows luncheon on Saturday, February 20. Our social will begin at 11:30, then we will have a buffet of salads and desserts.

This year, our Fellows speaker will be Lina Maria Murillo, who will share some of her dissertation on the history of women’s productive health and rights along the US-Mexico border. It should be very interesting !

Your donations for EF-CEF funds may be submitted at this meeting, or can be mailed to Joyce, Make your checks to Concord Educational Foundation. Please indicate on the check whether it is intended for CEF (local Scholarships) or EF (national).

September 19: Fall Luncheon &Tech Trek Campers

We will meet at the Methodist Church on West St. in Concord on Saturday, September 19. Social starts at 11:30 am, lunch will be served at 12noon, and program will be at 12:30 pm followed by a short business meeting.

Apr 22: Alicia Hetman on Title IX–It’s Not Only About Athletics

March is Women’s History Month

In celebration of National Women’s History Month 2015, NWHM is proud to announce the launch of its new video series – Women’s History Minute. Watch videos now.

February Funds Luncheon with Clayton AAUW

What:AAUW Funds/CEF Luncheon with Clayton BranchWhen:Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.Where: Concord United Methodist Church on West Street Cost:none, RSVP requested to LanaPlease contact Lana directly at lanbanan@sbcglobal.net if you can bring a salad.

It’s that great time of year again for our joint meeting with Clayton. This is always a great time to bring guests, not only for good food, but for the program that shows one of the ways our money is benefiting women.

This is also a very important meeting for our annual fundraising. Our branch supports two educational foundations. One is Fellowships and Grants programs under AAUW Funds that supports women such as Jane McAlevey who will be our honored guest and speaker. The second program is the Concord Educational Funds (CEF) where scholarships are awarded to women from DVC and LMC who are transferring to a four year college/university as a junior. The envelope in this month’s newsletter can be used for your donations or returned by mail or brought to the luncheon.

Donations: Your check should be made out to the Concord Education Foundation. Your donation is tax deductible. Please indicate which Fund you are donating to on the memo line of your check or, if you choose to support both special causes, write one check made out as above and indicate on the memo line “1/2 to AAUW Funds an 1/2 to CEF” As always, we appreciate and thank you for your generosity.

This year our speaker, Jane McAlevey, is an American Fellowship recipient working on a Ph.D. in Sociology at City University of New York Graduate Center. Her research focuses on building and sustaining high-participation organizations. She previously worked as an organizer in the labor and environmental justice movements and as an educator at The Highlander Center. She also contributes to The Nation, which chose her book Raising Expectations and Raising Hell as the “most valuable book of 2012.”

Join us for lunch, a live music performance, and our famous silent auction. Bring an item for the auction and/or purchase some tickets at the lunch. Remember to bring your return address labels to mark your ticket stubs.

Make your reservations now and choose your meal when you arrive. Checks must be received NO LATER than Monday, 12/1. Mail checks to Concord AAUW, PO Box 434, Concord, CA 94522 or Purchase tickets online!

Each holiday season, people around the world take action to give back to their communities and build a better world. The best way to do that is to empower women — something AAUW has been doing since 1881. Don’t miss your chance to support women and girls during this season of giving.

Here’s just a sample of what your contribution can do:

$20 mails 50 student workbooks to one Elect Her training site, helping us teach college women how to run for office — and win!

$50 provides resources for AAUW student organizations to use in the fight for women’s rights on campus.

$100 helps print and deliver get-out-the-vote materials for an AAUW voter registration table on a college campus.

CA Propositions: How Will You Vote?

Are you eager to understand the pros and cons of the CA propositions on the Nov 4 ballot? AAUW Branches in Contra Costa County and various other groups are sponsoring events throughout October. All events are free and open to the public. Directions to libraries are at www.ccclib.org.

Mon, Oct 13, 4p: Concord campus of Cal State East Bay, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Oak Room. Sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Parking is free during the program if you park in the faculty/staff lot. For a brochure call 925-602-6776.

Back from Camp: Trekkers Share Over Lunch

Join us for lunch and meet the Tech Trek girls on Saturday, September 27. Each year, AAUW-Concord raises money to give middle school girls scholarships to AAUW-CA’s Tech Trek Math and Science Summer Camp, giving these girls a wonderful opportunity to experience campus life on a major university campus not far from Concord. Our scholarship recipients meet up with 75+ other girls from around the Bay Area. So, when 75+ teen girls meet up to experience science and math, explore campus, and have some fun in their down time, clearly, there are interesting and funny stories to tell. Please join us!

Box lunches are being ordered from Panera Bread. Choose from either a Café Sandwich or Café Salad. Please select one from: Sierra Turkey, Mediterranean Veggie or Smoked Ham & Swiss on Rye. If you prefer a salad, choose Greek, Classic Green or Caesar. RSVP by September 17 by sending your check for $12 to AAUW Concord, PO Box 434, Concord, CA 94522. Include your selection in the memo line.

Don’t miss out on this fun event….we look forward to seeing you!

Luncheon to Honor Congressman George Miller

The National Organization for Women, Contra Costa Chapter, AAUW-Concord, and Planned Parenthood are co-sponsoring a tribute to Congressman George Miller. The event takes place Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 11:30am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord. Get more details about attending this event.

Summer Events: Shopping & Stuffing

Join us in shopping for backpacks and stuffing them with school supplies. We’re giving backpacks to schools in Bay Point, CA that are within the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The stuffing party is Thursday, Aug 14 from 9:30-11:30am. Learn more about us while stuffing backpacks! Contact Monica for more information/RSVP. Can’t make it? We’re accepting donations of backpacks, binders, & money. Arrange a pick up.

May 10: Art and Wine (& Beer) Walk, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Stroll around Todos Santos Plaza and Salvio Square while enjoying fine wine and beer, viewing beautiful art, and meeting local artists at the Art and Wine (& Beer) Walk. The All Area Music festival will be happening in Todos Santos Plaza, during the performances by Bay Area student musicians. Tickets are $20 per person; participants must be 21 or older. Event organized and sponsored by the Concord Branch of AAUW. Proceeds go to Concord Education Foundation (a 501 c(3) operated by AAUW-Concord) and will be used to fund scholarships for local girls and women. At this time, tickets can only be purchased at the event. Go to E.J. Phair at 1 pm on Sat. May 10 to purchase your ticket for $25. A limited number of tickets are available.

On May 3, we recognize and celebrate our Concord Education Foundation scholarship recipients from DVC and LMC. The Distinguished Woman and Named Gift honorees for 2013-14 will be announced and the Concord Branch Board for 2014-2015 will be introduced. Join us!

Feb 15: Mamie Chow on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Event: AAUW Funds Luncheon

Speaker: Mamie Chow

Date: Feb. 15, 2014

Time: 11:00am (Lunch starts at 11:30am, program follows)

Location: Concord Methodist Church

The AAUW Funds Luncheon is a joint program of AAUW Concord and AAUW Clayton. Together, we host a lunch & dessert followed by a presentation by Mamie Chow, AAUW Career Development Grant recipient in traditional Chinese medicine.

This event is our annual fundraising event for AAUW Funds. Donations are accepted for Concord Education Foundation, which provides scholarships for students who are transferring from the local community college to a 4-year university and/or AAUW Funds, a national fund that supports a spectrum of AAUW national programs. Event is open to the public. RSVP is required by Feb 13, 2014.

Jan. 14: NBC airs Interview with AAUW on Gender Wage Gap

An AAUW member is scheduled to talk about the gender wage gap on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. Aileen Rizo, whose pay inequity story was featured on the AAUW blog last year, sat down with Maria Shriver for an interview. Find out when NBC Nightly News is on in your area and watch with friends (Please note that the interview could be rescheduled due to breaking news.). We’ll be tweeting during the interview from @AAUWPolicy. If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you thought!

Jan. 11: Author Daphne Miller Speaks on Farmacology

Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming

Can Teach Us About Health and Healing

January 11, 2014, 2 pm to 4 pm

In Farmacology, practicing family physician and renowned nutrition explorer Daphne Miller brings us beyond the simple concept of “food as medicine” and introduces us to the critical idea that it’s the farm where that food is grown that offers us the real medicine. By venturing out of her clinic and spending time on seven family farms, Miller uncovers all the aspects of farming that have a direct and powerful impact on our health. Bridging the traditional divide between agriculture and medicine, Miller shares lessons learned from inspiring farmers and biomedical researchers and artfully weaves their insights and discoveries, along with stories from her patients, into the narrative. The result is a compelling new vision for sustainable healing and a treasure trove of farm-to-body lessons that have immense value in our daily lives. Join us for this free educational event at the Ygnacio Valley Public Library at 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.

. All are welcome.

Daphne Miller, M.D., is a practicing physician, author, and professor of family medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. For the past decade, her writing and teaching has explored the frontier between biomedicine and the natural world. Her widely acclaimed first book, The Jungle Effect, chronicles her nutrition adventures as she travels to traditional communities around the globe. Miller lives in Berkeley, CA.

Rakestraw Books will be selling books at the library for Daphne to sign.

Make your reservations now. Checks must be received NO LATER than Monday, 12/2. The mailing address is: Concord AAUW, PO Box 434, Concord, CA 94522 or Purchase tickets online!

Jingle Bells! Can you tell? It’s that time of year. Gather all your friends and join us for some cheer!

Take part in our annual silent auction. Bring an item for the auction and/or plan on purchasing some tickets at the lunch. Remember to bring your address labels to mark your ticket stubs.

Learn more about the children we are sponsoring for the holidays, and enjoy the musical performance!

Frede is collecting 2014 calendars to distribute to those in assisted living and nursing homes. Monica is collecting mini/compact, gently used umbrellas. If you have any extras please remember to bring them to the luncheon.

Credit: Cinedigm/Docurama Films

When: Thursday, November 7, 2013Time: 6:30pm: doors open, social mixer, introductory remarks. 7:00pm: Film starts.Program: Introductory remarks followed by the film, The Invisible War, a 1 hour and 37 minute documentary featuring plaintiffs in two cases of sexual assault in the military, Cioca et al v. Rumsfeld et al and Klay et al v. Panetta et al, both supported by AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund. Refreshments provided.Where: The Vineyard Community Church, 1970 Grant Street, Concord, CA (Downtown, across the street from Todos Santos Square)Get Tickets in Advance: Send a check for $5.00 (made out to Concord AAUW) by Tuesday, November 5, 2013 to AAUW-Concord, P.O. Box 434, Concord 94522. At this time, tickets can only be purchased at the door for $7.

Come, say “hello” to a new year in Concord Branch AAUW. Meet and greet new and old friends. The Concord United Methodist Church is the setting for the first meeting of the year on Saturday, September 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Frede Hammes and Kathie Koski have been connecting with the Tech Trek girls and hopes some of them and their families can join us to share their experiences this year. Betty Hirsch and Phyllis Nishimori will share the results of the back pack project. In addition, Monica Johnston and Michelle Koski will discuss some of the goals of our branch for the upcoming year. Lastly, Section Chairs will provide information on what their groups offer and sign-up sheets for your participation.

Summertime at AAUW-Concord

AAUW-Concord members are planning a stellar 2013-14 program! We’re updating our website, keeping members and the public aware of our contributions to the Concord community and beyond. Backpacks for Children is underway. And so is training for concessions stands at the 49ers games–our college scholarship fundraising event. Do you like documentaries? Stayed tuned for showtimes of gripping films that educate us and motivate us to address issues that impact women and girls. Does STEM education interest you? Then join us on September 21 to hear about the affirming experiences of our full-scholarship Tech Trek Math & Science Campers.

We’d like to meet you! Plan to attend an AAUW-Concord event today!

Art and Wine Walk Fundraiser

Saturday, May 11, 2013, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Stroll around Todos Santos Plaza and Salvio Square while enjoying fine wines, viewing beautiful art, meeting local artists, and listening to live jazz performances on stage. Event starts at EJ Phair. Tickets are $15 per person; participants must be 21 or older. Event sponsored by the Concord Branch of AAUW. Proceeds will be used to send local 7th grade girls to Tech Trek. Purchase tickets online! To make a purchase by mail, call 925.363.4438. A limited number of tickets are available, so purchase today!

All Roads Lead to Austen – January 26, 2013, 2pm to 4pm

All Roads Lead to Austen

Author Amy Elizabeth Smith embarked on a yearlong journey to Central and South America to host Jane Austen book clubs to see how Austen’s works translated into Spanish and whether the people would identify with her characters. Smith reads Pride and Prejudice in Guatamala and Ecuador, Sense and Sensibility in Mexico and Chile, and Emma in Paraguay and Argentina and recounts in much detail the discussions of each book group.Amy Elizabeth Smith, originally from Pennsylvania, has an undergraduate degree in music and a masters and PhD in English. She teaches writing and literature (including a course on Jane Austen) at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She loves traveling, dancing, classic cinema, and watching squirrel videos on YouTube.

This event is open to the public. Join us at the Yngacio Valley Library in Walnut Creek for this free event!

Happy New Year!

AAUW-Concord is looking forward to our Education Funds Luncheon in February, Women’s History Month in March, and Equal Pay Day in April. Make 2013 your year to get informed and involved in issues that directly impact you, your friends, your family, and your community. Explore our website for mission-based events and activities, check our calendar, or contact one of our officers and let us know how you want to be involved. We look forward to meeting you at one of our events!

December Holiday Party

Come join us for a chance to enjoy some time with Concord AAUW. There will be a silent auction (bring a little something to donate for this), musical entertainment, and a chance for sharing your December with friends. Watch form more in next month’s newsletter! Menu selection may be made the day of, and will include soup/salad and dessert bars, and a fountain beverage.

Please send your check for $20 to: AAUW-Concord, P.O. Box 434, Concord 94522 Make your check payable to AAUW-Concord. Your check will be your reservation and must be received by November 28th.

Miss Representation, a Documentary Film

Miss Representation, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The film explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. Film Introduction by Karen Mitchoff Supervisor, District IV.

Date: October 20, 20112Time: Doors open at 12:00pm. Program starts at 12:30pm.Donation: $5 requested.

Come, say “hello” to a new year in Concord Branch AAUW. Meet and greet new and old friends. Frede has been connecting with the Tech Trek girls and hopes some of them and their families can join us to share their experiences this year. Betty and Phyllis will share the results of the back pack project. In addition, our branch president, Terri, will discuss some of the goals of our branch for the upcoming year. Lastly, Section Chairs will provide information on what their groups offer and sign-up sheets for your participation.

In Remembrance

We were very sorry to learn of the recent passing of one of our most dedicated and beloved members, Carol Linda Markley Slatten. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Carol was born in Turlock on January 15, 1938 to Harold and Gertrude Markley. Carol was the eldest of four children. After graduating from Turlock High School, she attended UC Berkeley and USF Nursing School. A long-time resident of Concord, Carol was actively and enthusiastically involved in several philanthropic organizations, and a passionate supporter of education and the arts. She will be greatly missed. Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Derrell Mack Slatten. She is survived by her three daughters, Katherine Somervell, Jennifer Slatten, and Emily Slatten; her grandchildren, Conor and Emma Somervell; her siblings Kathi Curry, Sally Owens, and Bill Markley; her friend, Celeste Graham; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service was held on May 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette, CA.

The Invisible War – Tickets on Sale June 15 for June 22 Show!

A feature film, The Invisible War, which features plaintiffs in the two LAF-supported cases about sexual assault in the military, Cioca et al v. Rumsfeld et al and Klay et al v. Panetta et al, is having a limited release in five cities on June 22 and Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of them.

We hope you will save the date and invite your friends so we can fill the theaters. It’s important that there is a packed audience opening weekend as that will mean the film is released in other cities and will stay in theaters longer. Changes in policies are possible if there is widespread community pressure to do so and the film can help galvanize people into taking action. Get your tickets on June 15.

“It’s an immensely powerful film (I’ve now seen it three times and met many of the film subjects) and it’s very exciting to see our cases on the big screen.” –An AAUW member.

Please join us at a new venue this year where we will recognize some very remarkable and special women. Our May meeting will celebrate the DVC and LMC recipients who have been selected to receive the current year’s Concord Education Foundation scholarships.

We will announce the 2012 Distinguished Woman and Named Gift honorees, and install the Concord Branch Board of Officers for 2012-13.

Take part in the free membership drawing to win free dues for the coming year!

Organized by Carol and Joanne, Co-VP’s EF/CEF

Today’s Women in the Workplace

Join us for an update on the US Supreme Court case, Wal-mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, with speakers Elizabeth Lawrence, Class Counsel and Christine Kwapnoski, plaintiff. Meg Vasey, Executive Director of Tradeswoman, Inc. will speak on women in trades. Get information and tickets today!

This event is presented by the AAUW Concord Branch Legal Advocacy Fund Committee. All proceeds from this event will be sent to the national AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.